Independent Music needs to hold its own against the money-power of Bollywood. That change can be brought about by the public – and by the producers & sponsors who pump-in huge sums of money into the film industry, while starving the music industry outside of it. This is because the average producer/director (as against a genuine & dedicated filmmaker) are not film or music lovers who are in it to produce good cinema or music – but merely concerned with the profits. I’ve enjoyed many Hindi film songs – mostly of the melodic era, but the industry’s all-pervading & over-powering reach – along with the public’s obsession with almost all things filmy – has aesthetically corrupted the world of music in India. The Indian public’s almost universal presumption that ‘if-there-is-a-song-it’s-in-a-film’, has taken them away from the purity of music – which ideally should be an auditory experience.
Too many people and companies are supporting too many ‘stars’ who don’t need the support – whether Bollywood or cricket or music or art – by eagerly spending money on expensive events etc, but not supporting shows or purchasing quality music or books/paintings etc of newcomers or lesser known artists .. bargaining to get their products cheap or free. My policy – if you like it and can afford it easily, buy it …don’t haggle if the artist is genuine and the product is great!
